The document summarizes the key design elements of a magazine cover and article pages about musician Alicia Keys. The magazine cover follows conventions by placing the masthead at the top, featuring a large central image of Keys, and including cover lines, artist names, and the genre of R&B. The contents pages also adhere to typical layouts, with article summaries, images of Keys wearing jewelry stereotypical of R&B, and charts on the right. The featured Keys article has her onstage photo, utilizes a Q&A interview format, and references her album to engage fans. Overall the document examines how the magazine design effectively markets Keys and the R&B genre to its target audience.

1. Masthead – (title of magazine) is situated along the
top of the cover. This does not follow codes and
conventions as the masthead is usually placed in the
top left. However, it doesn’t matter if it is covered
because this is a well known magazine. It dominates
the top showing this is an important feature of the
magazine.
Direct address – (the artist looks directly
at the audience) The artist engages the
audience by looking directly at them. This
follows codes and conventions and so
appeals to the reader.
Font – (style of text) the text follows codes and
conventions as it sticks to the colour scheme of
the cover page. The most important text is large
for example the masthead.
Title – (related to the main image or main
topic) The title advertises the main artist,
attracting the artists fan base. The title is
the same colour as the artists blouse
showing how they’re linked. The title is
larger than the cover lines and names the
artist in the main image, this follows codes
and conventions. This will immediately
catch the eye of the reader.
Main image – (picture which dominates
cover page) The picture is of Alicia Keys.
She is sitting on a stool with her foot
placed on another. She shows attitude and
you have the sense of a dominant female.
Her accessories are also typical to see on
an R&B artist as they are stereotypically
known to wear loads of jewellery. The
artist dominates the page, following codes
and conventions. The background is down
beat and gives a chilled feeling. This also
shows the genre of R&B as it is generally
known as a laid back and chilled out style
of music.
Barcode – (featured on magazine so it is
available for purchase) This is located in the
bottom left corner, following codes and
conventions. Its location means it is out of
the way and does not distract the reader
from important features.
Price & date – (shows price and
how up to date the magazine is)
The price is in clear view and on the
cover page, following codes and
conventions. The date is also in
clear view so the reader can easily
see if the magazine is recent.
Coverlines – (short statements found on cover)
follows codes and conventions as they are
located to the left and right of the page. The
colours follow the colour scheme matching
either the artists clothes or masthead. Other
artists are mentioned attracting a wider
audience base, if a reader doesn’t like one of the
artists, there are more to read about. The names
of the artists also clearly show the genre of the
magazine.
Rule of thirds – (gives a guideline to where
certain features should be placed) The rule is
followed as the main image is placed in the
centre with coverlines on both left and right. Also
the masthead along the top and barcode in the
bottom left also follows the rule. The audience
focus on the important features because of
where they are located.
Target audience – The target audience are clearly listeners of R&B and
also fans of the artist. All the artists featured are all famous R&B artists.
Also the imagery, for example the jewellery, is stereotypically linked with
R&B. The target audience are young as Alicia Keys is a current artist who
appeals to both genders. Also the majority of the artists named are
current and in the charts. The ethnicity of the target audience are both
black and white. This is shown in the choice of artists named. For
example Alicia Keys is black, however, Taylor Swift is white.
Genre – The magazine clearly shows the genre of R&B.
The main image is a famous R&B artist and other artists
mentioned are also of this genre. The colour scheme and
plain background also show the genre as it is quite chilled
out. The choice of clothing by the artist is stereotypically
R&B as she is wearing a lot of accessories.

2. Date – (shows how up to date the magazine is)
Below main title. This follows codes and conventions
as it allows the audience to see if the magazine is
recent.
Page numbers – (numbers beside
page titles) These are placed beside
the page titles and pictures. If a reader
is interested by the image they are
able to turn to the page to see more.
They are white which follows the
house colour. The title and page
numbers are both the same font which
follows codes and conventions and
shows they’re both linked.
Font – (style of text) The masthead,
title and sub-title are the largest and
show dominance on the page. This
follows codes and conventions as this
is the most important text on the
page. The titles of the page are also of
the same style showing they
introduce a new section.
Layout – (how features on the page are
laid out) The charts are placed on the
right side reinforcing the idea that this
is a music magazine. The main image is
placed in the centre of the page,
following codes and conventions. The
image is clearly an important element
and so takes the centre position. The
pictures along the top are all the same
size, showing that they are of same
importance. Each section of text has a
sub-heading, also following codes and
conventions. The reader is able to
quickly see what each article is about.
Main image – (picture which dominates
contents page) The image is in the
centre column making it the first thing
you see. It is clearly important and
something the magazine wants the
reader to take note of. There is a
medium close up with the model
wearing hooped earrings. The model is
clearly linked to the genre of R&B as the
genre is well known for the artists use of
large jewellery. The colours match the
house colour of black and white. This
links all elements of the magazine
together.
Articles – (piece of writing) The article are all music based and some link with the
front cover artist. The titles are short and snappy so the reader can quickly decide
whether they want to read the pages. They are all the same size, font and colour
making the contents page look consistent and organised. This follows codes and
conventions as it doesn’t make the page look random and difficult to read.
Language – (the language of the text)
‘The elements of style’ is an article
about Alicia Keys. This name links
with the singer because she has an
album called: ‘The Element of
Freedom’. A fan of the singer would
quickly pick this up and be able to tell
the magazine is well informed about
the artist.

3. Main image – (picture which dominates page) This is of the artist on
the cover so follows codes and conventions. The artist is on stage
suggesting a part of the interview is about her on tour or singing live.
The image shows what Alicia Keys is famous for and reinforces the idea
that this is a musical article. A caption features below which follows
codes and conventions. This allows the reader too see when and
where the picture was taken.
Props – (portable objects
used by artist) The artist is
seen on stage with a variety
of musical instruments
present, showing this is a
musical magazine. This
follows codes and
conventions as a picture of
an artist is most of the time
backed up with a musical
instrument or location.
Logo/date/page no – These are placed in the corner of the page.
This follows codes and conventions as it allows the reader to
become familiar with the logo and magazine number. The use of
the date also allows the reader to make sure they are reading the
most recent issue.
Layout – (how features
on the page are laid out)
The interview is placed
within five columns. This
follows codes and
conventions as this is a
typical magazine feature.
The main image is located
in the top left of the page
and relatively small
compared to other
magazines. The text
dominates the page
showing that there is a lot
of content on the singer.
Sub-headings are the
largest text, introducing a
new section. This follows
codes and conventions.
An interview with a man
she has worked with is
also present possibly
presenting a different
angle to the singer. Stats
are also present,
reinforcing the idea of
how successful the
feature artist is.
Colour scheme –
(arrangement of colours on
page) The house style is
followed as the colours
used are the same colours
used on the front cover.
This makes the magazine
familiar and sets its
distinctive look. It also
shows how the pages are
all linked, following codes
and conventions.
Article – (piece of writing) The article is a question and answer. This
is a typical feature in a magazine and a popular format. It is easy to
read and follows codes and conventions. There are also stats on the
artists album sales. She is referred to as a ‘superwoman’ which
connotes a successful woman who has been a hit in the music
industry.